View full sizeNASCAR legend Dick Trickle, seen here in January 2006, died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound today, police said. He was 71.AP File Photo

Authorities in North Carolina say former NASCAR driver Dick Trickle has died of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was 71.

The Lincoln County Sheriff's Office says authorities received a call believed to be from Trickle today saying that "there would be a dead body and it would be his." Authorities tried to call the number back, but no one answered.

The sheriff says Trickle's body was found near his pickup truck at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Boger City, N.C., about 40 miles northwest of Charlotte. Sheriff's Lieutenant Tim Johnson says foul play is not suspected.

Trickle was the Winston Cup series rookie of the year in 1989 but never won a Cup race. He won two Busch Series races.